Top 5 Substitutes for Good & Delicious Holiday Food

1. Vegetable spreads are like butter in taste and even calories but they have a significantly less amount of saturated (unhealthy) fat and more unsaturated (healthy) fat which make them healthier.

2. If you use turkey rubs for flavor, consider using salt free spices. There are plenty of flavors that are made exclusively from spices and don't contain any salt.

3. A lot of recipes, especially for deserts, call for a lot of flour. Instead of using white flour, try whole wheat flour. It has more nutrients which makes it healthier and more fiber which can fill you up quicker thereby reducing your overall calorie intake. If you're worried about the difference in taste, try using half white flour and half whole wheat (or some other combination).

4. Instead of using sugar, try using honey or brown sugar for sweetening. Don't trick yourself into thinking that brown sugar and honey are healthy because they are high in calories and low in vitamins and minerals. However when compared to white sugar, these two alternatives contain more minerals and antioxidants. If you're going to use sugar, you might as well use the slightly healthier option.

5. Always offer a salad for your holiday meals. They're low in calories and will fill you up so you won't eat those high calorie items.

For more ways on making sure you don't gain any unwanted weight this holiday season, visit the Guide to a Healthy Holiday. You can also see how others deal with all the delicious food or share your own experience by visiting the diet and nutrition forums.

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